If there's one NFL team that needs a quarterback this offseason as badly as Kansas City, it is Arizona. Now the Cardinals are reportedly giving the Chiefs some company in the pursuit of a trade for 49ers quarterback Alex Smith before the draft.

According to SN correspondent Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic, the Cardinals are "exploring the possibility" of trading for Smith.

Alex Smith has been the subject of trade speculation since the season ended. (AP Photo)

It would be odd for Arizona officials to pursue a trade with a division rival, but it might be even odder for the 49ers to trade Smith to a division rival. But desperation could bring them together.

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports that the Cardinals are "very pessimistic" about landing Smith in a possible trade.

The 49ers rolled through the NFC West on their way to Super Bowl XLVII with the luxury of sitting Smith in favor of second-year sensation Colin Kaepernick. Meanwhile, the Cardinals shuffled through Kevin Kolb, John Skelton, Ryan Lindley and Brian Hoyer in 2012. That crew of ineffective quarterbacks was hampered by the league's worst pass protection‹in contrast to the solid protection Smith received from the Niners' league-best offensive line.

While the 49ers are trying to avoid paying Smith $8.5 million in '13, the Cardinals would like to have a plan in place to escape the need to overpay Kolb. Kolb is due $9 million in salary and also a $2 million roster bonus if he's still with the team five days after free agency starts on March 12.

The 49ers would like to get favorable value for Smith, the first overall pick in the '05 draft. With Kansas City and Arizona competing for his services, it's the scenario that will put them in the best position to move Smith for the highest compensation.